Science and Superstition 




aass_..Dij_£r/i 



Book 



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Copyright ]^^ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSnV 



Spring Lodge Publications 



Philosophy of the Great Unconscious 

Science and Superstition, 

The Economy of Misery , 

Immortality . 

The Pantheist — A Quarterly, 



By Samuel Eugene Stevens, M. D, 



Science 

AND 

Superstition 



Samuel Eugene Stevens, M. D. 



An infant crying in the night — 
An infant crying for the light ! " 



Truth Seeker Company 
^ New York 
19^3 



.67 



Copyright igi4 

by 

Samuel Eugene Stevens 



All Rights Reserved 



Published February igi4 



FEB I6i9i4 

SPRING I^ODGE 
PRKSS 

(g)Cl.A361^02 6 






To the 7nemory of Giordano Bruno! — 
Who was burned at the stake in 
Rome, February 16, 1600: — by com- 
mand of the '* spiritual authorities" of 
the Christian Church: — for daring 
to think ! 



Preface 

To controvert assumption by assert- 
ing fact — or at least find a reasonable 
answer to questions which come to all 
thoughtful minds — is the purpose of 
this work. 

S. E. S. 

Hanover, N. H. 



Who question much learn much! 



^i^'IFE, liberty and the pursuit of 
^1 J knowledge are the sacred and 
^^^ inalienable birth-right of all 
mankind. 

It is not only a privilege but is in- 
cumbent on all men to exercise reason 
and develop brain pov/er by evolving a 
philosophy of their own — to entertain 
personal views and reach independent 
conclusions on all subjects whatsoever. 

Pledged to no system, bound to no 
creed or book, it is the duty of every one 
to face and solve for himself all the 
problems of life. 

It is safe and sane and proper and 
right for men and women every- 
where, in their day and generation, to be 
patient persistent nonconforming icon- 
oclastic reformers — active co-laborers 
with the great evolutionary processes 
of Nature. 



12 Ci c t e n c e a n d 



I^HI'NRKSTRICTKD freedom to move 
^ -fl and act is essential to all nor- 
^^ mal growth and development. 

Free to gravitate, all the elements 
and forces of the universe adjust them- 
selves harmoniously. 

Free to move, all atomic and mo- 
lecular matter assumes crystalline 
forms of perfection and beauty. 

Guided and led by inherent all- 
pervading attractive and repellent 
power, suns and systems form and 
move in infinite space. 

All things in Nature — all physical 
force, all chemical change, all vital 
energy, and all mental power — are 
due, in the last analysis, to perfect 
freedom of elemental atomic action. 

Thought — honesty free, outspoken, is 
the most valuable contribution intellect 
can make to human welfare. 



Superstition i^ 

To add something original to the 
world's stock of ideas — something 
definite to the sum of human know- 
ledge — to transfer something of value 
from the unknown to the known — to 
clear up mystery dispel illusion and 
establish fact, is the supreme satis- 
faction in life. 

The purest pleasure and highest 
happiness are only the fruit of mental 
action exercised in the endeavor to un- 
derstand the nature of things . 

However far short we may fall of 
reaching our aspirations, it is worth 
while striving to know and to attain. 
ATURE hath much to teach ^ 
mankind much to leami. . . 
To understand her invariable 
order and live in accord therewith is 
the prime purpose of learning and first 
duty of man. . . All useful and exact 
knowledge is limited fn iiatnia] phe- 



/^ Science and 

nomena — to seek it elsewhere is to 
indulge in an empty dream. 

Self education is self preservation. 
Whatever stimulates inquiry, what- 
ever encourages independent thought, 
whatever is illuminating, is moral — the 
most prolific field for which is Nature. 

Great vital truths are recorded on 
the wide open page of the universe, 
to be read and interpreted by students 
and lovers of Nature everywhere, in all 
ages — nor should this divine message 
to mankind be longer misinterpreted 
by ecclesiastical assumption, or ob- 
scured by the endless terminology of 
metaphysical s cholasticism . 

No priest or prelate, pope or poten- 
tate, should be permitted to stand be- 
tween man and Nature, or interfere 
with the divine right of freedom of 
thought and expression. 



Superstition 15 



^f / T is not through seer or saint or 
tI mystic that the illumination of 
^--^ Nature cometh — not by dreams 
or visions, prcnioultions or prayer. . . 
But to him alone who is devoted and 
persistent in research she will reveal 
eternal truth. . . Becoming more im- 
pressed with her infinite possibilities, 
we are inspired with more love and 
reverence — not for a mythical crea- 
tor, but for Nature herself. 

A deeper and purer ethical senti- 
ment may be gained and manifested 
in love and communion with Nature, 
than through belief in a personality 
or power superior to Nature — a 
gospel, not of faith and fear, but 
of love and learning, of knowledge 
and action. 



i6 Science and 

There is one safe path — nature. . 
One sure guide — reason. . One un- 
failing light — SCIENCE. 

We do not ask for faith, we seek to 
know. . Wandering so long from pri- 
mal instinct, and yet so far removed 
from perfect knowledge — so long de- 
luded by ignes-fatui of religious mysti- 
cism — forever lost, had not the clear 
light of Science, the glory of a new 
day, illumined all the east towards 
which we turn. 

In love with Nature — seeking for 
Truth — blindly perhaps, in despair 
often, sincerely always. 

Anxious to know — wherever Sci- 
ence leads and Reason guides, will 
follow — no other light no other guide 
can trust. 



Superstition ly 

Nature! Infinite — Divine! Inquis- 
itive, we ma3' know. Ijft high the 
Torch amid the encircling gloom. 
Lead on I We do not question or care 
or whence or whert. Lead glorious 
Light, forever inextinguishable. 

Wedded to Nature, to Leaxning, 
to Science, to ideas, to the ideal — 
is enough — is all. No sy.-siem sect or 
sex to please placate or perplex. 

The stars are true; yon crescent 
moon is true; unconscious Nature is 
forever and unchangeably' true. 

When in despair with ourselves 
and ail mankind — when the burden 
seems greater than we can bear; we 
may find in Nature a sure relief — 
kind, restful — its notes, its noises,, its 
stillness. . Were it not foi Natui'e — 
wild, undespoiled, to which we may 
vjrn at times, life would be insufferable. 



As things become reasonable they cease 
to be looked upon as supernatural. 

As sure as the world endures and the 
brain of man develops supernaturalism 
is doomed! 



^^HE great problem of existence — 
III first offspring of human reason, 
^■^ is yet in process of formula- 
tion — the solution of which has engaged 
the minds of the most profound 
philosophers of all time. 

Mankind seek to account for things 
in two ways — supernatural and nat- 
ural, theological and scientific. . One 
assuming a cause above Nature; the 
other finding inherent cause in Nature 
alone. The difference between these 
methods is radical, the issue vital, the 
conflict irrepressible. While the claims 
of theology rest on tradition, impos- 
sible of verification — those of Science 
are based on facts, susceptible of 
positive demonstration and proof. One, 
endeavors to reach and influence 
men through the emotions; the other 



20 Science and 

through the understanding; one ap- 
peals to revelation, the other to rea- 
son; one demands faith the other facts. 

The attitude of Science is supreme 
reverence for Nature — finding im- 
mutable order and unchangeable law 
everywhere, inviting the most search- 
ing scrutiny, — that of theology, fear- 
ful of having its claims in any way 
questioned or disturbed, is bitterly 
hostile to all scientific inquiry, look- 
ing upon the study of Nature as 
indicative of "an unbelieving mind." 

Had not astronomical science shown 
the true relations of the sun to our world 
and other planets; and geological inves- 
tigation demonstrated the many millions 
of years required for the earth's form- 
ation; and had not the divine science of 
Biology proven the natural evolution of 
all organic life, — theology would still 
be asserting the scriptural account of 



Superstition 21 

creation as literally true. . . A dream, a 
delusion, a fabrication, a fraud! The 
very dust of the earth itself cries out in 
refutation of theology and confirmatory 
of Science. While Science has made 
clear that all phenomena of the uni- 
verse are perfectly natural — theology 
continues to insist on a supernatural 
j&rst cause. . . But there can be no first 
or final cause in an infinite universe. 

CIENCE is the hope and inspira- 
tion of the world to-day — de- 
spised and neglected heretofore 
because of mental bondage to medieval 
ecclesiasticism. . . The stonk which 
church builders and creed makers reject- 
ed hath become ^'the head of the corner.'' 
Without organization Science seeks 
knowledge for the sake of knowing, and 
for the improvement of conditions. Its 
minion is to explain and utilize all the 




22 Science and 

forces of Nature; to lighten toil , mitigate 
pain and eradicate evil. Its objects are 
practical, its methods just, its motives 
unselfish, its benefits beyond compute. 

Ecclesiasticism, strongly organized 
and intrenched, with vast untaxed pos- 
sessions, and with one day in seven set 
apart for its purposes — seeks to impose 
and perpetuate its noxious influence 
and power by suppressing or supersed- 
ing scientific knowledge with religious 
dogma, . . A system of deception and 
robbery, maintained by millions wrung 
from a deluded following. 

Church property in the United States 
has an unassessed valuation of more 
than a billion dollars. To exempt 
this vast amount from taxation is 
outrageously unjust. By so doing all 
other property must bear an increased 
burden. . . And furthermore it should 
not be forgotten that a very large 



Superstition 2^ 

majority of native-born citizens are not 
church members and object to being 
taxed thus indirectly in support of 
sectarian institutions which they look 
upon with more or less disfavor. 

But in spite of all unjust advantages, 
and of proselyting hoards of ecclesiastics 
infesting all lands — large and increas- 
ing numbers of all nationalities are 
thinking themselves on to a purely sci- 
entific basis and are thus able to dispense 
with a paid priest-hood to look after and 
keep alive belief in church dogma. 

Organizations and corporate bodies 
of all kinds are more or less ob- 
noxious to the general welfare and 
common good, — formed for the 
purpose of obtaining special privileges 
and immunities, alike inconsistent 
with equal and exact justice, and to 
the sentiment of universal brotherhood 
and fellowship among all mankind. 



24- Science and 



^yTHERE are certain facts which 
III will bear repeating — of which 
^■^ the world needs to be reminded 
often. . An inexhaustable source of 
inquiry, — all positive knowledge, all 
that has been of real advantage to 
mankind, all human progress has 
been the result of scientific study and 
observation of natural phenomena. 

The vastly wider and more definite 
knowledge of the forces of Nature ac- 
quired in recent years, and the extent 
to which they are being utilized is 
maivelous! And when we think of infin- 
ite time and space in connection 
with these ever acting forces, we 
are overwhelmed, — not only with the 
possibilities of an infinite future, but 
of an infinite past. 

There never has been a period in 
human history when men were more 



Superstition ^5 

inclined to question or more free to 
think and act — and there was never a 
time of more universal progress. 

The elements are being analized as 
never before, to find the combination 
that will unlock the Door. 

Seeking to understand the order of 
Nature — infallible standard of thought 
and action — the empire of Science is 
everj^where being extended over the dark 
domain of superstition and ignorance. 

Among its greatest achievements thus 
far has been the establishment of the 
fact of natural evolution in place of 
special creation. In ascertaining this 
and other fundamental facts, modern 
science has forever eliminated the 
supernatural from the universe, — thus 
completely shattering the foundation 
of religious orthodoxy. 



26 Science and 

Science is the only exact exponent of 
Nature: Philosophy its only true interpre- 
ter. The province of Philosophy is to 
coordinate and combine facts which all 
Science has established, with a view 
of affirming universal truth. 

While theologico-metaphysical spec- 
ulation, dealing with the unreal and 
leading nowhere, has a tendency to un- 
balance mental power, the study of the 
natural sciences, unequaled as mental 
and moral stimuli, is of the great- 
est practical value; and moreover affords 
the only possible hope of a satisfactory 
solution of the problems of life and of 
existence. That Science will elucidate 
all mystery is inevitable. . To know 
the "unknowable," to comprehend the 
incomprehensible, to grasp the infinite 
is possible. , A wish to understand 
inspires effort, effort develops capacity. 
Determination to know and do evolves 



Superstition 2y 

the ability of knowing and doing. 

Desire for verbal expression first 
developed power of speech. Power of 
expression is indicative of civilization. 
Mankind have progressed as they have 
dared to think and express themselves. 

Satisfied in finding a reasonable ex- 
planation of all phenomena, men of 
science, as a general thing, have not 
paused or stepped aside to refute the 
absurd assumptions of theology, — al- 
though both Huxley and Haeckel went 
down among them and dealt staggering 
blows in reply to unscrupulous prevar- 
ications. . The great purpose of Science 
is not to controvert or defend any system 
of belief, but to find an enduring basis 
on which to construct everlasting truth. 

In reaching this underlying basic 
rock, all more or less antiquated ecclesi- 
astical rubbish so long eumbering the 
ground, must be cleared away. 



28 Science and 



<■*■?' HE assumptions and equivoca- 
I I tions of ecclesiasticism are being 
^■^ discounted everywhere. . An 
appeal has been made to Science and a 
final verdict is being rendered. 

Telescope and microscope, steam and 
electricity, in connection with the nat- 
ural sciences, have revolutionized ideas 
and conditions within the memory of 
many now living. The universe is no 
longer the profound mystery it once 
seemed: organic life no longer the super- 
natural production hitherto claimed. . 
The evolution of the organic and inor- 
ganic, of the conscious and unconscious 
are alike found to be perfectly natural 
processes. So many long cherished ideas 
and beliefs are being disturbed and over- 
thrown — it is not strange that Tennyson 
should have been led to cry out "Be- 
hold we know not anything!" Blind 
belief never will know anything. 



Superstition 2<) 

No fact is more clearly demonstrated 
or more universally acted upon to-day 
than the immutable order of Nature. . 
There never has been and never will be 
any supernatural interference with this 
order. A result of perfectly natural 
causes — all things are what they are, 
what they have been and what they may 
become, through perfectly natural pro- 
cesses; — there never has been and never 
will be any supernatural interference 
with these processes. 

No person ever possessed or ever will 
possess any supernatural knowledge or 
power. . There never has been and 
never will be a supernaturally inspired 
thought or action. . There never has 
been and never will be any such thing 
as a supernatural revelation. . There 
is nothing, there can be nothing outside, 
above, or superior to infinite Nature, — 
all inclusive — all compelling — all- 
sufficient! 



so Science 



m 



B are no longer trusting in a 
supernatural revelation but 
looking for a scientific expos- 
ition of that already existing every- 
where in Nature, hitherto unrecognized 
because of religious misrepresentation. 
If the ** inspired word" revealed some 
of these great truths, instead of contra- 
dicting most of them, how much more 
convincing of authenticity. 

It is calamitous that mankind should 
have been led to distrust Nature, thus 
long waiting for adequate recognition. 

Intent on the transcendental , much of 
the misery heretofore engendered and 
endured by the human race, has been in 
consequence of ignorance and non-ob- 
servance of the real. 

A curse — a crime! Supernaturalism 
perverts thought, prevents learning, im- 
pedes progress, and profanes Nature. 



Superstition ^i 

Minds formed on a supernatural con- 
ception of things have but one idea and 
that is a wrong one. 

If premises are wrong conclusions will 
be erroneous. . An erroneous idea of 
the universe must lead to more or less 
erroneous action: ethical incentives de- 
rived therefrom cannot be the highest 
and best. . Scientific knowledge is the 
only safe and reliable basis for moral 
as well as material growth and develop- 
ment; and constitutes the only possible 
foundation upon which everybody can 
stand. While mankind will never enter- 
tain the same religious faith, they may 
and must accept the same scientific facts. 

As yet however, the priest-ridden mul- 
titude do not think or reason — simply 
believe as they are taught or told. But it is 
encouraging to meet religious people, the- 
ologians even, now and then, who are not 
fully settled and satisfied, and beginning 
to fossilize, but free to doubt and develop. 




J2 Science and 



CRIPTURE tells us that labor is 
a curse, imposed on man as a 
punishment. . Nonsense! La- 
bor is one of the greatest blessings 
vouchsafed an ill begotten race. 

An industrial age may not incline to 
classic learning or philosophic thought; 
neither does it tend to religious monas- 
ticism. . Commerce and industry, in 
connection with applied Science, are 
doing more to-day to keep the human 
race from moral and mental degener- 
acy — to unite and uplift mankind — 
than all other means in all previous time. 

Blot out what Science has done in the 
past fifty years and the whole civilized 
world would be in darkness and at a 
stand-still. . Knowledge of electrical 
force alone, gained in recent years, has 
become an indispensable necessity. 

And yet the crustacean ecclesiastical 
combine persist in asserting we know 



Superstition j? ? 

nothing and can know nothing — save 
tradition. . But "we need not trouble 
ourselves at all about the attitude 
or attacks of ecclesiastics and other 
unscientific men who really know 
nothing whatever." 

^yr HE great scientific renaissance 
III of the nineteenth century, due 
^•^ to the publication of Darwin's 
biological works, was not unattended 
with very bitter opposition by church 
and clergy-. It may not be generally 
known that for some years these works 
were excluded from all orthodox schools 
and colleges. The author, as lately as '82 
applied to the librarian of one of these 
institutions of learning, so called, for 
the "Origin of Species," and was very 
curtly informed that Darwin's books 
were not allowed in the library. . We 
are glad to note however that this college 
new has all of Charles Darwin's pub- 



j4 Science and 

lications and many more along the 
same line, with a well equipped biolog- 
ical laboratory. 

There is a fashion in all things: new 
truths demand and develop heroes: but 
there are not lacking cowards to come 
afterwards, claiming and reaping results. 

Religious bigotry has never abandon- 
ed any inconsistent position, or yielded 
any of its irrational claims until com- 
pelled to do so by the advance of Science. 
# * * * 

It is of far more interest and im- 
portance to know what Darwin has 
to say about the descent of man, 
than what Moses is supposed to have 
written about his "fall". . It might 
possibly be just as well or better, to pe- 
ruse Huxley's "Science and Hebrew 
Tradition," rather than drone over 
Paul's "Epistle to the Hebrews." 

"St Paul,'* a religious fanatic of the 
first century, wrote in the interest of 



Superstition jy 

church dogma — to institute a narrow 
theological basis on which the * 'elect" 
might stand. . Huxley, a biologist of 
the nineteenth century, thought and 
wrote in the interest of scientific truth — 
to establish a foundation on which the 
whole world may stand. 

However, we should not lose sight 
of the fact that mankind are in pro- 
cess of ethical development. . If eccles- 
iasticism ever inadvertently inculcated 
fundamental ethics, it is of universal 
application. . But to clog and burden 
twentieth century conditons with the 
effete theological fabrications of the 
dark ages is intolerable. 

The law of the survival of the prac- 
tical applies in ethics as in all else. 

Heretofore it has been religion, now 
it is Reason — heretofore it has been 
superstition, now it is Science that is 
summonsing all things to judgment. 



j6 Science 



^gi T is of the utmost importance for 
^1 every one to know and com- 
^-^ prehend, as far as possible, all 
that Science has done and is doing: — 
with this end in view, its nomenclature 
should be as clear, simple, and exact, as 
human language can make it — the 
prime purpose being the exposition of 
facts rather than "mental gymnastics 
in word jugglery." 

People are perishing miserably every- 
where through ignorance and disregard 
of natural law. Missionaries are needed, 
not for religious propaganda, but to 
spread the divine truths of Science — to 
cultivate an intelligent regard for Nature; 
to promote a unity of all mankind in all 
lands in an effort to understand and live 
in accord with her immutable order. . A 
sublime mission ! A glorious consumma- 
tion ! To acquire and impart knowledge, 
not of the mythical but of the actual. 



Superstition J7 

Men and women of learning and 
independent thought, should constitute 
themselves active members of this great 
mission. . Inspired with a feeling of 
kinship to each other, and to all things: 
to the simple and homely as well as to 
the grand and beautiful: to all that ap- 
pears good and to all that seems bad - - 
to all that has gone before and to all that 
may come hereafter. . A religion of 
love and devotion to Nature, to human- 
ity — not in adoring a personality but 
in exemplifying a principle. 

To live and die "in the faith," in 
place of being the most worthy is one of 
the most unworthy things that can be 
said of a person — meaning in most 
cases, a life of ignorant conformity. . So 
many have lived and died thus — possi- 
bilities of original thought undeveloped, 
minds dwarfed, lives wasted, "souls 
lost," through unreasoning faith. 

To live and die ignorant of all that 



jc? Science and 

might and should be known about Na- 
ture, is an irreparable wrong to the 
individual and to the whole world. 

A large fraction of the human family 
are and always have been semi-savage, 
with hardly a desire above a brute: 
while enlightened races are so absorbed 
in obtaining the necessities or in pursuit 
of the pleasures and luxuries of ' ' chris- 
tian civilization" they have no time or 
inclination for thought or study. 

Slaves to conditions which outworn 
custom or traditon have imposed; too 
indolent, indifferent or cowardly to en- 
tertain or express a personal opinion, or 
evolve an original idea on any vital 
question, social civic or religious, most 
men are satisfied to drift. . Yet there 
is in the world at large, a hopeful spirit 
of progressive unrest. 

To any sincerely interested in social 
and ethical evolution, there was never a 
more favorable time or greater need for 



Superstition jp 

intelligent unselfish effort than the pres- 
ent. The call is not for church extension 
but church extincton. Do not destroy 
natural talent or waste "youth's golden 
moments" in the study of metaphysical 
theology — designed to mystify. . Go 
forth with supreme reverence for 
Nature, and love for humanity — thus 
long bewildered and burdened with the 
impositions of priest-craft. 

lyook not backward for light and 
truth ~ there is nothing in the past to 
inspire respect, unless it be some illum- 
inating thought or action: — a remote 
origin hath no merit — the farther back 
one goes the nearer he finds himself to 
a common animal ancestry and conse- 
quent brutality and ignorance. 

Look not backward but towards the 
dawning of ever clearer, better days; 
productive of men with larger mental 
powers; of ever widening knowledge 
and higher purpose. 



Chemistry — science of matter! 
Physics — scie^ice of force! Biolo- 
gy — science of life! 

More or less intimately connected, 
these three sciences, constituting a 
natural trinity, include all that is cog- 
nizable by the senses. — Their study 
has contributed more than all else to 
human progress in the past, and is the 
only possible means by which any ad- 
vance can be hoped for in the future. 



^■^HE foundation of a correct in- 
ill terpretation of the universe has 
^■^ been the reduction of all phe- 
nomena to a mode of atomic motion. 

The basic substance of all Nature — 
the primordial condition of all matter, 
is electro-atomic. . . A great molecular 
aggregation — the wide universe — 
worlds suns systems — are of one at- 
omic household — inter-dependent and 
forever interchangeable. 

Atomic matter — as Democritus first 
taught and Lucretius sang in immortal 
verse, over two thousand years ago — 
produces all phenomena of the universe: 
the greatest thinker and greatest poet 
of all time because of fundamental truths 
they uttered. The works of Lucretius are 
among the grandest products in the realm 
of thought: "De Rerum Natura" is the 
practical conclusion of Science to-day. 



4^ Science a n i) 

An indivisible indestructible elemen- 
tal portion of matter — the atomic theory 
borders on the metaphysical, in as much 
as an atom is imperceptible to the un- 
aided senses, but a fact just the same, 
and of the utmost practical utility. 

Modern chemical science, based as it 
is on this theory, first formulated and 
applied by Dalton, has established its 
correctness beyond question. 

The so-called chemical elements are 
no doubt molecular — chemical action 
being molecular disintegration and read- 
justment, due to electro- atomic affinity. 

All sensible matter is molecular, held 
in combination more or less strongly — 
liable to disintegrate and form other 
combinations more or less rapidly — at- 
tended with exhibitions of greater or less 
power. Combustion, visible and invis- 
ible, is a manifestation of molecular and 
atomic change, generating in the process 
more or less correlated forms of radiant 



Superstition /j 

matter or force, called light heat and elec- 
tricity, — a step farther and we have 
the ultimate etherial mode of motion — 
possible of demonstration in the labor- 
atory — in fact is claimed to have been 
already so demonstrated. 

There is no reason to doubt and even- 
indication to infer that all organic life, 
conscious and unconscious, is explicable 
on purely chemical and physical grounds. 

That the infinite mutations of mat- 
ter produce all phenomena of Nature. 
physical and psychic, and are a part of 
one great order is a fact to which all 
science is inevitably tending. 

The correlation and conservation of 
energ>- — including the mental . — means 
the monism of mind and matter, and 
consequent unity of the universe — 
of which there can be no longer a 
reasonable doubt, — on this basis alone 
ever^tbing in Nature finds complete 
and adequate harmony. 



44 Science and 



A\Xi matter, organic and inorganic, 
is subject to perpetual change 
in position form and substance; 
to integration and disintegration, form- 
ation and deformation, evolution and de- 
volution. As one mode of motion ceases, 
another ensues: when vital action ends, 
chemical action begins: recomposition 
follows decomposition , destruction awaits 
coUvStruction, maturity means decay. 

The ripened fruit must fall — that 
other fruit may follow. — Buds burst 
into leaf and bloom and fade each year 
the same — yet not the same. — As 
surely comes the unfolding flower — 
so surely comes the fading leaf. 

Although there is no rest or perfection 
anywhere, — yet the tendency of Nature 
is to eliminate evil and imperfection 
everywhere. . The mentally morally and 
physically unfit — who give themselves 
to excess of any kind, will not survive. 



S u p e r s t i t I yi J5 

So careless, so careful — so prolific, so 
prodigal. . . Great Nature hath a seem- 
ingly indifferent way of doing things — 
creating and destroying the conscious 
and unconscious alike — with no more 
regard for mankind than the most insig- 
nificant insect or animal on earth. 

Yet all the constructive and destruc- 
tive forces of Nature — persistent and 
uniform — are to be depended upon 
and reckoned with at all times. 

Nature is synonymous with the uni- 
verse — including all things, animate 
and inanimate: — infinite in extent and 
duration: — infinite time, space, matter, 
worlds, suns. Such is the universe in 
which we live — a part and product. 

Time may be defined as that portion 
of infinite duration going to make up a 
solar cycle: a solar cycle is the time re- 
quired to evolve and develop a solar 
system: the present is one of an infinite 
series, of an endless chain a passing link. 



i^6 Science and 



^^£ N studying existence, we cannot 
^1 ignore the Sun — primal source 
^--^ of all life and energy. . . It is 
only by the aid of solar radiation that 
plants can live, — and as plant life 
is essential to animal life — the Sun 
in the final analysis is the creator of 
all life. . . Tireless — sleepless, — each 
far-off star a sun — warming into life 
countless other worlds! 

The greatest force in Nature — the 
most sensible worship is that of the Sun. 

Source of all being — giver of all life! 
Towards which all things turn — around 
which all revolve! Appearing in ma- 
jesty! Disappearing in glory! Invariable 
immutable unchangeable! Great uncon- 
scious life-compelling orb! We look to 
thee — to thee for all things! And 
when to unconsciousness returned — 
thine energy alone will to new and 
ever varying life and form revive. 



Superstition 47 



^d^ AVING a mathematical basis, 
^Ij Astronomy is among the most 
^^\ exact of the natural sciences and 
the most ancient — cultivated by people 
inclined to observ^e and think and with 
no religious prejudices to overcome — 
Chaldeans, Hindus, Eg^'ptians, Greeks. 
Most of the facts of modern astron- 
omy, as of all science, were conjectured 
by the Greeks. The ideas of Thales and 
Pythagoras, 600 B.C. no doubt sugges- 
ted to Copernicus his great work of 
1590. Until this time, in accord with 
religious tradition and Aristotelian phi- 
losophy, it had been maintained that the 
earth was the center, around which all 
revolved and for which all else existed. 
The scientific truths enunciated by 
Copernicus, were not found in Scripture 
and hence met with great disfavor by 
the church — not unlike that to evo- 
lution, and to all science. . . Every- one 



4S Science and 

knows of the delay in publication of 
his work because of ecclesiastical oppo- 
sition: and how at last when printed, 
a copy was brought to the bedside 
of this patient submissive apostle of 
Science in his last moments, that his 
dying hand might rest on its pages. 

Wider sidereal observation, made pos- 
sible by the invention and use of the 
telescope, has led to the inevitable con- 
clusion that the universe consists of 
innumerable systems distributed at im- 
measurable distances from each other 
throughout infinite space. 

The nebular hypothesis, fully thought 
out and stated by Laplace — giving as 
it does a reasonable genesis of our own 
solar system — may be postulated of all 
systems, if the term all can be properh- 
applied to that which is infinite. And 
although inconsistent with ecclesiatical 
authority, it would seem highly probable 
that many of the worlds whose suns we 



Superstition 49 

behold steadily shining from afar, may 
have developed life and consciousness 
similar to that of our own. 

And here again we are reminded 
of the martyrdom of Giordano Bruno 
by an infallible church, for insisting 
on a plurality of worlds. . . And of the 
persecution of Galilei Galileo for dar- 
ing to say that the Earth moved. 
* « * * 

'HAT the history of the earth's 
formation or deformation has 
been or is to be, Science alone 
can approximately determine. 

All life being conditional, it is a ques- 
tion whether or no, if at this time, 
phenomena of consciousness were de- 
stroyed it would again appear? 

Atmospheric and other conditions are 
not now as suited to the inception and 
development of organic life as in earlier 
geologic periods. But there is no reason 
to suppose the origin of human life 



H 



^o Science and 

on the earth was in any way super- 
natural; or can have any influence 
whatever with the great evolutionary 
processes of Nature — forever operating, 
regardless of the presence or absence 
of man, or of any conscious life. 

Convulsive action — in pre-historic 
times more frequent and continuous, is 
now of comparatively rare occurrence — 
faint echoe of a seismic age, long past. 

The Sicilian coast of Messina would 
have been rent — the site of fair Pompeii 
overwhelmed — and our own Golden 
Gate rocked and shattered just the 
same, had no city or human habitation 
occupied these regions. 

Yet there are those who would per- 
suade themselves and others, that all 
such perfectly natural phenomena, are 
visitations ot "Divine Providence" on 
account of sin and wickedness. — Un- 
scrupulous assumption will preach what- 
ever credulity will believe — and pay for! 




Superstition 51 

WEEPING on its wide converg- 
ing elliptic, a fragment, freight- 
ed with inherent destructive 
forces, the Earth is destined to return 
again to its primal source, the Sun. 

Lifted in mist to drift and condense 
and fall in rain and snow on hill and 
plain and mountain top, streams and 
rivers are hurrying back again to the 
wide unresting sea. 

Thus worlds are exhaled, a nebulous 
mist from ethereal depths, to drift and 
evolve and devolve and return again to 
the Great Primordial. 

Thus suns and systems forever form, 
forever drift, forever fade. 

Self existent, self sustaining. — The 
energy that makes , unmakes — the for- 
ces that create, destroy. — As outworn 
systems into chaos fall — as back to 
the ethereal worn-out worlds return — 
as many more arise. — The equilibrium 
of the universe is thus maintained. 



52 Science and 

^Jj^ ACK of comprehension has led to 
#11 I the assumption of a first cause; 
^^^ the cause of all causes and ef- 
fects. But an infinite universe will not 
admit cf beginning or end — of a first or 
final cause or effect. — That which is 
limitless cannot be added to, taken from, 
or destroyed. In ceaseless transmutation 
of molecular forms there can be no anni- 
hilation of atomic substance — the inde- 
structible could not have been created. 

Time, space, matter, motion, cause 
and effect — infinite and inseparable: — 
without possible beginning or conceivable 
end: — coextensive, coexistent — non- 
created, non-creatible. It is impossible to 
conceive or think of any one of these at- 
tributes of Nature, apart from all. 

There is nothing — there can be noth- 
ing outside of an infinite universe. No 
deity or designer — no beginning or end, 
first or last, whole or all, top or bottom, 
inside or out, center or circumference. 



Superstition 5j 



H 



HILE there can be no such 
thing as a first or final cause, 
yet there is cause for all 
things, necessity for every ev^ent. 

All phenomena are a sequence — 
nothing happens by chance. — The 
falling leaf and drifting mote are sub- 
ject to the same unerring energy that 
guides the planets in their courses ! 

Akin to all, a part of each, — every 
thing is essential to every other thing. 

The present is a product of the past, 
as the future will be of the present, — 
what is, a result of what has been — 
the cause of what is to be. 

The Great Unconscious hath fashion- 
ed all things ! A product of this all-in- 
clusive creative energy, psychic force is 
secondary and subject. No phenomenon 
of the physical universe, or of con- 
scious life but is an effect, at the same 
time a cause — a series as limitless 
as time and space. 



5/ Science and 

^/NSPIRED with supreme reverence, 
TJ we are overwhelmed at the 
^--^ immeasurable continuity of the 
Unconscious — towards which we has- 
ten — realizing more and more the 
transitory nature and comparative in- 
significance of all conscious phenomena. 
The amount of conscious force is 
simply incomparable with the ever act- 
ing unconscious forces of Nature ! — Of 
recent origin, evolved and developed by 
and from the physical, psychic force can 
have no possible influence over the im- 
mutable order of Nature, and no utility 
or use outside of an animal organism. 
Consonant with enlightened thought 
and reason, it is a satisfaction to look 
upon the universe as thus subject to 
unchangeable law, rather than personal 
dictation . . It is senseless to ' * trouble 
deaf heaven with bootless cries . ' ' Purely 
reflex — what people pray for they 
work for. — Labor est orare ! 



Superstition 53" 

ALL matter is motion — all 
substa/iQ£ energy! 
The evolution of the inorganic 
world and development of protoplasmic 
cells, the basis of organic lite, are alike 
manifestations oi the creative energy- in- 
herent in Nature, due in the last analysis 
to electro-atomic affinity — the cause of 
all chemical change, of all crystalline 
formation, and of all vital action. 

Crystallization, intermediate between 
the organic and inorganic, next to life 
is the most marvelous exhibition of con- 
structive power and the geometricallv 
exact way Xature hath of doing things. 

Instinct may be attributable to this 
same atomic affinity, to which a passive 
non-willing insect or animal is more 
sensitive, with intuitions more trustwor- 
thy than the imperfect wisdom of man. 
The only hope of the human race attain- 
ing equality in this respect is the acqui- 
sition of exact scientific knowledge. 



If there were no ignorance there 
would be no superstition! 

If there were no mystery there 
would be no religion! 

The purpose of Science is to illumin- 
ate — hence the conflict! 



^■fPilVKRSE people at sundry times 
^Ul claim to have received super- 
^^ natural revelations, which have 
had more or less influence in shaping 
the destiny of men and nations. 

Illusions and delusions are coeval with 
the race — as old as religious history; 
and still the record grows — burdened 
with all the accumulated superstitions of 
the past, the world rolls on — into what 
darkness and uncertainty, were it not for 
the Search -light of modern Science! 

It has heretofore been claimed by a 
respectable minority of religionists, that 
the "old and new testament scriptures" 
were of divine inspiration, and therefore 
to be accepted without question. 

But recent critical analysis of these 
writings, in connection with more exact 
understanding of natural phenomena, 
and withal a more free and unpreju- 
diced exercise of reason and common- 



^o Science and 

sense have led to a modification, or com- 
plete abandonment of all such claims. 

"Hebrew Tradition" has some histor- 
ic value, and is more or less creditable 
as literature, but is utterly discreditable 
as a "revelation from on high." 

"Christian Tradition," based on the 
above — loaded down with dogmatic ac- 
cretions of two thousand years, is yet 
more discreditable. 

Doctors of Divinity — apologists every- 
where, high and low — have occupied 
themselves for decades, trying to keep 
"Revealed Religion" somewhat in ac- 
cord with revelations of Science. 

However lengthy, learned, or litig- 
ious these apologetics, — • it is every 
day becoming more apparent that scrip- 
tural cosmology is forever overthrown. 

Its Astronomy, Geology, Chemistry, 
Physics, and Biology, — at variance in 
every particular, are totally irreconcil- 
able with the facts of Natural Science. 



Superstition SV 

The story of creation — of the fall, 
and of the atonement, — with attendant 
myths and miracles — infantile in con- 
ception, — cannot in any way be made 
consistent with the great evolutionary 
and developmental order of the uni- 
verse — acting, and interacting, through 
a past without possible beginning, and 
a future without conceivable end. 

The miracles of scripture, in place of 
being confirmatory, are discreditable to 
the whole record; libellous to all Nature. 

The fact that such stuff has been so 
long palmed off as "God's Word" is 
proof of the non-existence of any such 
personality, else He would have caused 
its suppression long ago. 

Discouraging to inquiry, leaving no 
room for growth and development, books 
and systems claiming supernatural origin 
or authority, however expedient in ear- 
lier stages of civilization, are at length 
productive of stagnation and decay. 



6o Science a v ff 



i§ 



UTRAGEOUSLY erroneous and 
misleading in cosmology and 
interpretation of natural phe- 
nomena — the Bible is yet more unreli- 
able and untrustworthy as a moral guide, 
**an irreconcilable moral contradiction." 

The Decalogue — said to have been 
printed and published iu a miraculous 
manner, the more surely to impress and 
intimidate an unruly mob — is largely 
of local application. 

The Levitical Law — with its everlast- 
ing bloody refrain , * * Thus saith the Lord, 
he shall surely be put to death" — re- 
quiring as it does, the slaughter of so 
many innocent creatures, — is inhuman! 

A deity or religion demanding such 
sacriiice, and a people complying there- 
with, are alike abhorrent. 

The command "Thou shalt not allow 
a witch to live" — and the new testa- 
ment announcement , * ' I come not to bring 
peace but a sword," have been the cause 



Superstition 6i 

and excuse for an incalculable amount 
of misery and bloodshed, visited for the 
most part, on kindly inoffensive people. 

One of the most incredible passages 
of scripture is of the Sun standing still 
a whole day, at the command of Joshua, 
that he might have more time in which 
to" kill and exterminate all that breathed, 
as the Lord God of Israel commanded." 
# « * • 

Incompatible with an enlightened 
sense of right and justice — inconsist- 
ent with all science — we are driven to 
a sweeping denunciation of "Scripture" 
as a source of truth or of ethics. 

Believing the Bible without question 
in childhood — there comes a time to 
independent thinking people, when a 
reason must be given, a choice made, 
if at all, between conflicting creeds and 
systems, — hence a careful examination 
of this basis of belief becomes necessary 
with a view to estimating its real worth. 



62 S e i e n e e and 

^d% ELIGION is of identical meaning 
M|% and significance with super- 
^•^ stition — in defining one you 
define the other. . . It varies with time 
place and nationality — subject to envi- 
ronment and custom — a matter of taste 
temperament and early training — a cloak 
to be assumed or laid aside as interest or 
inclination may dictate or determine. 

It has been defined as consisting of 
belief in a supernatural personality or 
power governing the universe — and 
in the worship of such personality or 
power — which is idolatry \ — All re- 
ligious worship is idolatrous — homage 
paid an imaginary deity or demon, or to 
the dead — an act of cowardly fear or 
base hypocrisy; rarely of pure devotion 

The Great Unconscious doe? not call 
for ignorant worship — but intelligent 
conformity — right relations with uni- 
versal order — to be reached through 
understanding only. 



Superstition 6j 

^ii T is not strange that prehistoric 
^1 man — emerging from simian 
^--^ darkness — barbaric, brutal. — 
unable in the obscure light of dawning 
reason to comprehend or rightly ac- 
count for the universal tragedy in which 
he finds himself involved, — it is not at 
all strange we say, that primitive post- 
glacial man, contending blindly with the 
mysterious and ungovernable forces of 
Nature — filled with superstitious fear, 
should have been impelled to worship! 
In other words, not able to account for 
natural phenomena, mankind were led 
to deify or demonize them: and institute 
a priesthood to propitiate, conciliate, 
and placate the same, — which has con- 
tinued "in direct line unto this day." 
These latter facts are not usually 
dwelt upon in church history, and 
may be questioned — but no doubt 
religious worship and the priestly order 
are of very remote origin. 



64 Science and 

That primitive people should have 
deified objects and activities of Nature 
is not surprising! That more or less con- 
flicting religious belief should develop 
as A result of this polytheism is not to 
be wondered at! That long established 
ecclesiastical organizations should be 
unwilling to disorganize, even after the 
fallacy of their claims has been exposed, 
is not at all astonishing! — It would be 
too much to expect the beneficiaries of a 
system would of their own volition aban* 
don lifelong century old pretentions. 

But the ultimate emancipation of the 
world from ecclesiasticism is inevitable! 

Evolving slowly from a state of an- 
imal selfishness and savagery — freed 
somewhat from primitive ignorance and 
fear — and later mythological and chris- 
tian superstition — the more intelligent 
of all races and nationalities are coming 
to understand and utilize the forces of 
Nature which their ancestors deified and 



Superstition 6^ 

worshiped, and are reaching a solid sci- 
entific basis of thought and action. 

Free from all religious affiliations — 
in love with Nature — existence hath a 
greater significance, a truer meaning, 
a more practical value. 

Many sins are not sins, but custom 
hath made them so. It is hard enough 
* * heaven knows ' ' to endure the natural 
ills that beset existence, without being 
subject to the artificial evils conjured up 
and imposed by clericism. 

To obey natural law is imperative: to 
submit to the decrees of the church 
is intolerable ! A profanation — a crime ! 
We will not be distracted by its false 
and irreverent assumptions, from render- 
ing supreme devotion to Nature alone ! 
We will not acknowledge or bow down 
to the "Triune God" of priest-craft nor 
should religious dogmatism longer fetter 
thought or burden the lives of free men ! 



66 Science and 

^<^|^ yth and mystery gather round 
4 4 4 the beginings of all religion: 
^^r\ miracle and the marvelous 
attend their propagation. 

Christianity is thus shrouded and 
attended — based on the assumed sub- 
version of both natural and social law. 

Nothing is positively known about 
the person in whose name this pre- 
tentious scheme was fabricated and 
introduced. Many of the most eminent 
scholars and historians of the past 
and of the present time declare Jesus 
Christ was a myth. 

However this may be, the simple life 
and teachings at first ascribed to him, 
distorted by priestcraft, soon assumed 
the hydra-headed ecclesiastical mon- 
strosity we now behold ! — Loaded down 
with dogma, bolstered up with tradi- 
tion, making a virtue of ignorance, 
offering a premium on credulity. 



Superstition 6y 

Whatever there may have been 
about primitive Christianity that was 
ideal was forever vitiated and lost 
when made the state religion by 
Constantine the Great to conceal and 
justify his own outrageous crimes. 

Learning and civilization every- 
where began to decline shortly after 
its introduction — moral and mental 
degeneracy and industrial stagnation 
followed its spread. 

About the fifth century every vestige 
of the once imperial and progressive 
power of Rome in the West had disap- 
peared and the Dark Ages commenced. 

From that time on for a thousand 
years Europe and all Christendom 
was sunk in religious fanaticism and 
ignorance. — Priestcraft and kingcraft 
controlled and corrupted the people — 
keeping them in perpetual strife and 
contention, and the earth deluged 
with blood. 



68 Science and 

^■^HE most sanguinary period of 
111 human history is that of the 
^■^ first fifteen hundred years of 
the christian era. During these centuries 
millions of men women and children 
were slaughtered in religious wars, 
or perished miserably in consequnce: 
and hundreds of thousands more 
were tortured butchered and burned, 
with every cruelty inquisitorial inge- 
nuity could invent — all in the name 
of the * * Prince of Peace ' ' and of the 
true faith ! " — An appalling spectacle 
and commentary on human nature, 
dominated by religious fanaticism. 

In the dawning light of a civil- 
ization of reason and humanity, 
and the judgement day of Science, 
it seems incredible that mankind 
could have ever felt called upon to 
kill and exterminate each other for 
any cause — above all that of "infinite 
love and mercy. ' ' 



Superstition 6g 

^V^ AR less ideal, equally fallacious, 
^W much more intolerant — the 
^^ truits of Christianity have been 
far more pernicious than Greek or Ro- 
man mythology, or than any of the 
venerable systems of the East. 

The religion of ancient Greece and 
Rome was the most simple, poetical, 
and beautiful the world has ever seen. 

Under its benign influence the most 
perfect art and poetry, and most 
profound philosophy and highest civil- 
ization were developed and fostered. 

It was not until after christian 
fanaticism began to prevail that art 
and education began to decline and 
mankind degenerate. 

There is no doubt that if Greek 
Philosophy had been cultivated and 
encouraged in place of christian ec- 
clesiasticism the world would have 



'fc' 



JO Science and 

been at least a thousand years in 
advance of what it is to-day. 

Progress has been made, not be- 
cause of religion, but in spite of it! 

Although learning had been culti- 
vated and kept alive in Mohammedan 
countries all through the Dark Ages, 
it was only after the revival of Greek 
learning in Europe that conditions 
became more tolerable. 

^•iTHE philosophical truths uttered 
ill by Socrates, more than two 
^■^ thousand years ago, survive 
to enlighten mankind to-day, — while 
the religious system that compassed 
his destruction has gone to decay long 
since. — And the great scientific facts 
proclaimed by Bruno, will be the price- 
less heritage of Italy and the whole 
world, long after the ecclesiasticism 
which condemned him, has forever 
perished from among men. 



Superstition ji 

There are those who died dis- 
honored, — sleeping in unknown 
graves, or whose ashes were thrown 
to the four winds, — more worthy 
than any now inurned in gilded 
mausoleum, or intombed in temples 
dedicated to pagan or christian gods, 
or whose names are entablatured on 
frescoed walls of fame! 

Prison and scaffold have been forever 
glorified by the martyrdom of the brav- 
est and best and truest men and women 
that ever walked the green earth or 
breathed the free air of heaven! 

Savonarola was burned at the stake 
and his charred remains hurled into 
the muddy Arno, — while Michael 
Angelo rests embalmed in sculptured 
sarcophagus. — The one met an 
ignominious death for an ideal mor- 
ality, to which his life had been 



12 Science and 

consecrated. — The other, a willing 
tool of popish power and priestly- 
vanity, prostituted his great genius to 
perpetuate a lie!! 

What Angelo and Raphael devoted 
their genius to glorify — Bruno and 
Savonarola perished to reform or 
overthrow. 

Nothing is more sacred or inspiring 
than memory of those who have faced 
infamy and death for ideas — more 
worthy of honor — of immortality ! 

There is not in all Europe or the 
whole world a more appropriate tear 
compelling monument than the one 
erected on Monte Pincio Rome, in 
memory of two brothers, Cairoli, who 
fell together in the late struggle for 
Italian Freedom and Unity. — Beautiful 
in design, perfect in execution, and 
above all meaning so much ! — It is 



Superstition yj 



a supreme satisfaction to have made a 
pilgrimage to the spot where such 
as these have dared to die! — Be- 
cause of their heroic self-sacrifice, 
we are glad to have lived — more 
willing to die. 

Never a more momentous struggle 
for human progress than that of 
France and Italy with the papacy in 
recent years. — Yet of this not a 
word in commendation by the great 
A . — - H - — - A - — . of 
cowardly snobs ! 

'JPI ESPOILED by barbaric van- 
^Ul dalism, defaced by medieval 
^^^ ecclesiasticism, destroyed by 
modern commercialism, obliterated by 
the elements — there is but little 
left of ancient Rome. . Its countless 
churches are filled with efi5gies as 
soulless and dead as the eccle- 
siasticism they represent, and with 



y4- Science and 

frescoes typifying ideas and aspira- 
tions of an age forever past. 

As works of art we may pause to 
admire but will not stop to worship. 

What once seemed sacred has be- 
come a sacrilege. . The message of 
to-day is not allegorical but actual. 

It is fitting, it is ideal, it is just, 
that Rome should again become the 
capital of a great nation. 

^i^ CHRISTIAN ecclesiasticism is 
^1 not now suppressing freedom of 
^--^ thought and expression, and 
propagating its accursed dogmas by 
means of physical torture as hereto- 
fore, it is not lack of disposition, 
but want of power. 

The same religious bigotry and 
intolerance that burned Bruno in 
the sixteenth century, murdered Ferrer 
in the twentieth century. The same 



Superstition y^ 

human nature, dominated b3^ the same 
religious bigotry, burned Savonarola 
and Michael Servetus at the stake — 
and would crush out all opposition to- 
day had it the power. 

^[^ NlylKE religion, Science has not 
^ -I a record of blood — is not 
'^"^ hewing its way to recognition 
with the sword, or compelling accept- 
ance by torture — is not seeking to 
proselyte with sophistry, or obtain 
power by intrigue. — Its appeals are 
not to fear and prejudice but to reason 
and intelligence. 

With such a record all friends of 
Science have just occasion for satis- 
faction. — But with a perfidious 
insatiate foe it should not be forgot- 
ten that "eternal vigilance is the 
price of Liberty ! ' ' 

The sleuth hounds of medievalism 
are still in training? 



l6 Science and 

It has not been so long ago 
since men of liberal learning were 
being pursued — not so very long 
ago — yesterday in poor priest- 
ridden Spain ? 

There is still prevalent everywhere 
in the world a deplorable amount of 
priestly domination. — Lifting some- 
what in France and Italy and other 
European and Asiatic countries — 
its dark shadow is menacing America 
more and more: — the dissipation of 
which can only be hoped for through 
scientific, n on sectarian education, and 
encouragement of independent thought 
and inquiry. 

'"1^ OGMATIC religion is an em- 
wtK bodiment of error — little 
^^^ less than criminal to believe 
or teach ! 

Not an article of the Niceue or 
Apostles' creed, or of the Westmin- 



Superstition jy 

ster Confession is in accord with the 
facts of Science or revelations of Na- 
ture: and no sincere thinking person 
can accept them. — No wonder their 
repetition is supplemented with ' ' Oh 
Lord increase our faith! " 

Intellectual liberty is incompatible 
with membership of any church or 
religious order — demanding as they 
do complete renunciation of reason, 
and abject faith. 

It is lamentable that so many are 
persuaded to turn from the light of 
Science and Reason to be bewildered 
and lost in some form of mysticism. 

There is no profession more baneful 
or more despicable than that which 
praciices on the religious credulity 
of the multitude. 

The idea of any man or set of 
men assuming to know and to die- 



y8 Science and 

tate what others shall or shall not 
believe is simply astounding! And 
it is yet more astounding that people 
with the same or better means and 
ability of knowing, should submit 
to such dictation! 

Unthinking belief is an insult to 
Reason, or to any possible religious 
truth. 

No man or woman, with any brain 
power, will accept a creed on the 
basis of any clerical authority — or 
because others have done so. 

^ji^OWEVER numerous or noted 
■iff ^** adherents, no system is 
^\ entitled to credence without 
the most careful scrutin5^ 

In the natural sciences alone are 
we justified in accepting conclusions 
reached by men of known ability, — 
yet even here personal inves- 
tigation is advisable . — But the 



Superstition yg 

absurd assumptions of ecclesiasti- 
cism have no claim whatever for 
serious consideration, — with no 
foundation in fact, — appealing 
to the emotions — unreasoning, 
nnreasonable, — pretending to be 
the exponent and exemplar of all 
mercy and morality, — yet with a 
record written in blood and tears, 
of wars and massacres the most 
merciless and cruel that blot the 
pages of history or blacken the 
annals of man ! 

Replete with harrowing details of 
cruelty and crime, of people in- 
humanely plundered tortured and 
killed, one who reviews church his- 
tory even in the most desultory 
manner, cannot fail of being im» 
pressed with the amount of misery 
everywhere engendered by religious 
bigotry and intolerance. 



8o Science and 

A SPECIES of insanity, hysteri- 
cal in type. — Religion, in 
place of a paradise — has 
made of the world a pandemonium! 
In place of harmony it has created 
discord! In place of peace has 
fomented strife! In place of kind- 
ness and love it has inspired 
malevolence and hate! Masquerad- 
ing in the garb of mercy it has 
aroused the most malignant passions 
of human nature! 

A pestilence ! A scourge ! Its victims 
have been more numerous than from 
all other calamities combined. 

It is estimated that upwards of 
five billion human beings have thus 
perished — immolated on the altar 
of religion ! — A number equal 
to nearly six times the present 
population of the globe. — And yet 



Superstition 8i 

there are people who claim that 
religion is and has been a blessing 
to mankind? 

^^y^INDNESS and love are the 
ifV ^^^^' essence of morality! — 
^^^ But the record of the two 
most pretention, if not the most 
prevalent religious organizations in 
the world to-day — symbolized by 
cross and crescent, is one of ensan- 
guined hate! — From which we 
turn with infinite relief to the more 
sublime, more humane, and more 
purely ethical teachings of Gau- 
dama and Confucius, — and to the 
imperishable philosophy of ancient 

Greece and Rome. 

* * * * 

Religion and morality are not 

synonymous. — A person may be 

moral without being religious — or 

religious without being at all moral. 



82 Science and 

It is not necessary to believe — 
or belong to anything — or be 
kept infantile, or ignorant of Natural 
Science . . . Mankind can bear the 
truth and be good. 

Some of the worst people have 
been believers — many of the best 
have been skeptics. 

Uniform right action is the result 
of natural disposition rather than 
religious faith ... It is comparative- 
ly easy for one with generous 
impulses to act unselfishly. 

Profession does not amount to 
much without inherent moral princi- 
ple back of it. 

One man is better than another 
if more sincere and trustworthy. 

One religion is better than another 
if it stimulates thought, and renders 
mankind more unselfish. 



Superstition 8j 

A person may be indifferent, or 
opposed to all church dogma, at the 
same time of the deepest religious or 
poetic nature, and with the highest 
ideals of practical ethics. 

^jfT^^ QUESTION IS how much 
III longer must pure ethics be 
^^ burdened and polluted with 
church dogma and exploited in the 
interests of narrow sectarianism? 

How much longer is priestcraft 
to curse the world and pervert the 
minds of the multitude with its 
damnable superstitions in the name 
of religion and morality? 

The question is whether Science 
or superstition shall prevail? — 
There is no question as to which 
is the better foundation for char- 
acter and good citizenship. 



84. Science and 

The question is not how much 
or how many if any of the dogmas 
of a soulless theology may be re- 
suscitated and saved, but how many 
of the divine truths of Nature 
can be known ? 

The problems of to-day are not 
those of yesterday. 

The question about any matter 
yesterday was whether in accord 
with * * tradition ? ' ' 

The question to-day is, if in har- 
mony with Science? 

There can be no problem to 
those who do not care to be dis- 
turbed with an idea. 

* * *^ # 

We repeat — heretofore it has 
been religion, now it is reason, — 
heretofore it has been superstition, 
now it is Science that is summons- 
ing all things to judgment. 



Superstition Sj 

/^ HRISTIAN ecclesiasticism, with 
II all of its claims and as- 

^^^ sumptions of divnc alliance 
and authority — after ages of pretense 
and failure to produce any lasting 
improvement in human nature — or 
develop anything but religious bigot- 
ry and intolerance in the world, — 
would seem to demand and justify 
complete abandonment of supernatur- 
alism and entire reliance on purely 
rational means in dealing with all 
conditions and problems of life . 

The moral order, as elsewhere 
stated, is a product of gradual evo- 
lution eliminating the selfish and 
brutal and developing the social and 
ethical, as the race have receded 
from a primitive animal ancestry. 

This perfectly natural process, di- 
vorced from all religious belief, may 
be greatly advanced and utilized by 
scientific co-operation . 



86 Science and 

A RADICAL change in human 
nature is possible — a higher 
type of manhood may be 
developed — inborn and transmissable . 

In place of the conglomerate mass 
of ugliness and moral deformity now 
everywhere prevalent — a race of 
moral giants may be evolved! 

The general welfare and common 
good demand the production of men! — 
To fill the world with noble, lovable, 
unselfish human beings, witli some 
approach to perfection — is of para- 
mount interest and importance , — 
and is possible — by observing as 
much care in breeding mankind as 
of domestic animals . 

Slaves to inheritance, — a large 
fraction of the human race are in 
every way unfit to beget or rear 
offspring, — great crowning end 
of life: — pre-eminentlj^ attained by 
scientific methods only ! 



Supersiitio7i 8y 

^/ F THE STATE has any excuse 
^1 for existing, or any function 
vf-^ to perform, is there anything 
more essential or more necessary than 
supervision of procreation, as well as 
education, with a view to improved 
civilization and citizenship? 

It is amazing that with all efforts to 
stamp out disease and crime, no more 
efficient measures have thus far been 
used to prevent their propagation! 

No doubt the Ministerial and Legal 
professions are interested in keeping 
the world on a criminal basis. 

Licensed to prevaricate and plunder, 
proselyte and pillage, — prison convicts 
are not more dispisable or criminal. 

Intrenched behind forms and ceremo- 
nies, precedent pretence and palaver: — 
case-hardened, petrified, — beyond pos- 
sible reform or redemption ! 

Destructive revolution must precede 
constuctive evolution ! 



Truths of Science are Sacred! 
Nature alone Divine ! 



' ' Holy Church " — " Holy Father 
Holy Humbug ! 



IVAo are you that claim to know? 
How do you know f By what right 
or authority do you presume or dare 
to dictate — dominate — damn I 



^^ EALIZING the fundamental 
Mr% weakness of their position, 
^^^ and the utter impossibility 
of supporting it with actual facts, 
the clergy are forever insisting on 
unquestioning faith . 

Inquiry has always been feared 
and fought . . . Reason considered 
dangerous and of the Devil: — the 
superstitious do not dare to use it, 
the fanatic does not have it, and 
the vulgar rabble are to ignorant or 
indifferent to think or reason, and 
much rather play ball . 

A system which seeks to perpetuate 
its power by suppressing inquiry, 
cannot be based on Eternal Truth ! 

A religion that cannot bear scien- 
tific investigation is a fraud! 



g2 Science and 

A political or religious "boss" 
is alike obnoxious to a free and 
progressive people. 

Any man or woman who allows 
another to do their political or re- 
ligious thinking is an enemy to free 
institutions — unfit to be the citi- 
zen of a Republic. 

Honest earnest thought and in- 
quiry are safe and desirable at all 
times on all subjects. 

If unable to fully comprehend the 
situation, we may with the aid 
of common-sense, which is another 
term for native instinct, guess near 
enough right for all practical pur- 
poses — at least do our own guess- 
work? — All faith is guess-work, to 
be eliminated by actual knowledge. 
* * * * 

People who think and reason may 
be lost to the Church but saved 
to Science and Learning. 



Superstition gs 



m 



HERE would human progress 
be if no one had the brain 
power and moral courage to 
think differently from his ancestors? 
A truly great and worthy progen- 
itor would say to his progeny — 
think not as I have thought, — be- 
lieve not as I have believed, — 
think and act independently; — 
follow your own convictions; — 
above all things be sincere! — Do 
not be a cowardly hypocritical time- 
serving priest-ridden nonentity ! 

While philosophers and thinkers 
of antiquity and of all time have 
ignored the priestly order, — the 
thoughless multitude have always 
been easy dupes . 

All religious belief — whatsoever 
wheresoever whensoever — is equally 
baseless, — although some systems, 
Jess cumbered with dogma, are 
more reasonable . 




9/ Science and 

HALLOW empty insincere — 
more noxious than the 
exhaled breath with which 
expressed — in much preaching there 
is much prevarication, much sophistry, 
and great weariness . 

The most strenuous defenders of 
the faith are frequently the most 
destitute of moral sense . 

The Multiplication Table needs no 
defense! Great truths of Nature need 
no defense! Scientific facts need no 
defense ! — They need to be under- 
stood — they invite investigation ! 

The selfish, the unjust, the false, 
the pretentious, need defense — need 
lawyers, and judges, and preachers, 
and bishops; a police-force and a pope! 

Afraid of the light — afraid of 
inquiry — afraid of Science — afraid 
of facts; — Christian Ecclesiasticism, 
a complete fabrication and fraud, 
is totally indefensible! 



Superstition 95 

^(^ OWEVER kindly and tolerant 
Ti^ i^ other respects, Church- 
'^^^ members are apt to b€ very 
iutolerant of having cherished be- 
liefs in the least questioned or 
disturbed, — oblivious of the fact 
that religious bigotry, holding the 
centre of the stage, has done little 
else than outrage Reason and defame 
Nature, "'since the world began."' ■ 

Unable to find logical grounds 
for faith, these pious people talk 
of feeling things in their inner con- 
sciousness — whatever and wherever 
that ma>' be — the last argument 
of fanaticism, void fo reason science 
or sense. — Devotee^ of all sorts 
0: superstition doubtless feel that 
way at times? 

Eortunately the great evolutionary 
law of Nature is supreme: — mould- 
ing all thought, modifying ail belief, 
eliminating ail superstition . 




pd Science and 

INCERE men and women have 
redeemed all generations! — 
And are found to-day, in 
all lands — among all people — in 
and out of all religious bodies. 

Some of the best, through a 
mistaken sense of duty, bow in 
worship . . . Many of the worst, 
with the basest motives, preside 
at the altar . 

It is against this latter class, 
and the stupendous scheme of 
fraud and deception which they 
peipetrate and practice, that con- 
tention is made . 



Worthy are they who discover 
facts and dare defend ! — Thrice 
worthy, who uncover fraud, and 
dare denounce ! 



Superstition gj 

^^( HERE are diseased conditions 
ill that call for heroic trcat- 
^^ meut . . . France and Italy, 
after centuries of endurance, found 
it necessary to employ radical meas- 
ures to rid the bod3'-politic of a 
pestilential priesthood . 

The people at length awoke to the 
fact that children and youth were 
being corrupted by Jesuitical teach- 
ing, which led to the suppression 
of this infamous Order, and entire 
control of education by the State. 

Vet this same abomination, aided 
by the sweepings of the whole earth, 
holds the balance of power in Amer- 
ica to-day; — elements of a social 
and religious upheval unequalled in 
human history-; — more relentless, 
more appalling! 

The fight of France and Italy is 
the fight of social and intellectual 
liberty the world over. 



g8 Science and 

^/ MPRKSSIONS made on the 
^1 plastic brain oi' adolescence 
^--^ are indelible! — Aware of 
this fact, the clergy, in the name 
of charity or moral training, 
seek to get control of children 
and are filling their minds with 
religious error and superstition, 
a lifetime cannot efface. 

It has always been the policy of 
priestcraft to perpetuate its power 
and influence thus . 

With this selfish end in view, it 
begs money — builds orphanages — 
invades homes — gets on to school- 
boards — and worms its slimy way 
into more or less control of all 
public offices and institutions. 

It is an irreparable wrong to 
teach anything but exact truth ! — 
A crime against the moral and 
intellectual development of the indi- 
vidual and of the race, to instil 



Superstiiion 99 



into juvenile minds church dogma. 

No State or Nation can afford to 
have its future citizens thus in- 
stucted; — their future possibilities 
thus dwrfed and blighted. 

The church is not the custodian 
or conservator of morality, or good 
citizen-ship, or of civilization even. 

If it is a crime to teach error, or 
obtain money under false pretenses, 
then the church and clergy are old 
criminals . 

The selfish motives, baseless as- 
sumptions and baneful influence of 
ecclesiasticism, calls for the discontin- 
uance of public propaganda thereof, — 
for complete emancipation of learning 
from religious domination, — and for 
the exclusively scientific and secular 
training and education of youth . 
* * * * 

Medieval thought is radically incon- 
sistent with twentieth century science! 



TOO S c i e 71 c e a ti d 

/^^^k NE of the more pretentious 
1 I -# religious reactionaries infest- 
^<^ ing this country, recently- 
said, "education without the aid of 
religion is a modern delusion of the 
most pernicious kind . " — An echo 
from the Dark Ages! 

Education to-day means something 
more than tenth century superstition. 

Religion, in place of developing has 
dwarfed and fettered understanding. 

Only as thought has been free 
has it been productive, 

Only as learning has been unen- 
cumbered by religion has it attained 
efficiency and value . 

Only as education has become 
scientific has it become useful and 
ethical . 

* ^ * * 

A true ethics as a true philosophy 
must accord with natural order, 
which Science alone can formulate. 



Super stitio 71 lot 

AMERICA cannot afford to 
jeopardize its priceless 
heritage of liberty and 
self-government, by allowing any 
religious influence or control what- 
ever of public education. 

Of the first importance and 
greatest utility, — it is the province 
of all schools to teach Science 
rather than superstition . 



Schools and colleges should invite 
and encourage all speculations, — 
all doubt, all skepticism, all inqui> 
ry, — should not be afraid, or try 
to suppress any human thought ! 

The crowning glory of all institu- 
tions of learning is the development 
of original ideas ! 

Learning that dares not move 
lest it tread on some ecclesiasti- 
cal toe, is contemptible cant!'' 



I02 Science and 

>*V^ ELIGION is a purely personal 
^1% matter, — not to be imposed 
^^r^ on others, — or have any 
voice or concern whatever in public 
institutions or councels of State . . 
All its ministrations should be 
strictly private and domestic, 
. , While allowing the widest free- 
dom of thought and expression, — 
no religious Faith or Order should 
be recognized, or favored in any 
way, by the general government. 

Instead of being a source of 
strength to national life, as our 
friends the enemy would have 
us believe, dogmatic religion is a 
menace and source of weakness, — 
fomenting endless discord and strife, 
leading eventually to revolution — or 
to social and civic degeneracy . 

:* ■" * * * 

Where the Church is rampant, the 
State is rotten ! , 



5 u persiition 103 

/^ HURCH of the Inquisition 
I I and of Ignorance! — Assum- 

^^^ ing infallibility! — Claiming 
supernatural authority! — This great 
ecclesiastical octopus, never has and 
never will yield any of its power, or 
abandon any position without a strug- 
gle. — It never has and never will 
progress, save under compulsion. 

In place of aiding it has always 
opposed and retarded human pro- 
gress — not only in the middle ages 
but in all ages; — not only in Italy 
and Spain, but in all Europe and 
the whole world . 

Satisfied with nothing less than ab- 
solute controll of all human thought 
and action — where it could not domi- 
nate, it has tortured and damned ! 

A foe to scientific learning, — to 
free thought and to free men, — 
it has ever been the willing tool 
and accomplice of tyranny. 



He who contends for freedom of 
thought and action anywhere ^ is con- 
tending for liberty and the uplifting 
of mankind everywhere. 

Medieval authority is opposed to 
freedom of thought everywhere, and 
to intellectual and civil liberty 
anywhere . 



Religion has been weighed in the 
balances, and fouiid wanting! 



'^d^ UMANE people everywhere 
^IW desire universal peace and 
^v concord . . . This state of 
things will never be brought about 
through any religious or church in- 
fluence or co-operation whatever! — 
In fact religious prejudice is the 
greatest obstacle in the way of 
its consummation to-day . 

The countless wrangling sects — 
multiplying with the centuries, 
must forever dispel this illusive 
dream . 

The only hope of universal 
peace is in universal ecclesiastical 
disintegration and dissolution — in 
connection with developments of 
Science and Sociology . 



io6 Science and 

Universal ignorance, and com- 
plete subjection, — mind, body, and 
estate, — are the only conditions 
acceptable to ecclesiasticism . 

As was the case in the middle 
ages over all Europe, — as is the 
case in Spain to-day, — as were 
conditions in Italy, until inspired 
and led by Gariboldi and Cavour, 
she threw off papal domination, 
and has become united and pro- 
gressive; with a future, unsurpassed 
by any country on earth. 

Poor, despised, disunited, dismem- 
bered, — kept so for centuries by a 
perfidious church ! — The struggle 
of Italy for national life, is the 
most momentous on record . 

Her bitterest enemy has been of 
her own household, the papacy, — 
and her most insidious foe to-day! 



SuperstiiioH loy 

^gi N AN address before Penn 
^1 Chapter Intercollegiate Social- 
^--^ ist Society, a certain cler- 
gyman said, "the weakness of the 
socialist propaganda is its ignoring 
religious truth . ' ' 

What is religious truth? What 
system or sect on earth ever has 
or ever will hold uniform, or uni- 
versally accepted belief ? 

The most sensible thing about 
the socialist movement is ignoring 
religion altogether. . . Any attempt 
to harmonize progressive ideas 
with church dogma would prove 
disastrous to the cause. 

When the contending sectaries of 
Christendom agree among themselves 
as to what constitutes * ' religious 
truth , " — and shake hands across 
the bloody chasm, — it will be in 
order for them to urge acceptance 
on the part of others. 



loS Science and 



m 



HEREAS truths of Science 
and fundamental principles 
of right and justice, have 
been ascertained and uniformly acted 
upon more or less everywhere, — 
there never has been and never 
will be any consistent or uniform 
religious faith . 

While each sect asserts that they 
alone are right and all others 
wrong, — Science has long since 
proven them all alike false. 

A small fraction only, of the 
human family, have been reared in 
Judaistic or Christian belief, — much 
the larger part have lived and died 
in some form of Buddhist faith. 

No unprejudiced person of any 
appreciable understanding, can ac- 
cept or be satisfied with claims 
to a supernatural, or superhuman 
origin, put forth in support of 
any religion, ancient or modern. 



Superstitio u rog 

Free from dogma, the ethical 
in all systems, appeals and ap- 
plies to all people of all time. 

The Philosophy of India — 
almost purely ethical — is alone 
worthy to survive . 



M 



ANKIND do not need 
more religion, but more 
knowledge. . . They al- 
ready believe so many things 
that are not so, it is impossi- 
ble for them to learn anything 
that is so; — so full of faith 
there is no room for facts . 

Forever making a mess of 
things. . . Religion has made 
people narrow, bigoted, and in- 
tolerant . . . Instead of being 
more considerate and kindly, they 
have become more contentious 
and cruel ! 



no Science and 

A fraud ! A curse ! A menace ! — ^ 
It would be a blessing to the 
world and to all mankind, if the 
entire ecclesiastical outfit, were 
swept at once and forever from 
the face of the earth, — destroyed 
root and branch, — and a scientific 
and philosophical study of the uni- 
verse substituted therefor . 

While by no means inclined to go as 
far as one great Vermont Iconoclast, 
in saying, "all clergymen should be 
hung and all churches burned ! " — 
We will say that all high ecclesias- 
tics should be compelled to wear 
drilling, and eat bread in the sweat 
of the brow ; — and that all church 
buildings be converted into Scientific 
Laboratories, — open and free to all. 

Furthermore, it would be advisable 
for ex- clergy and lay membership, to 
organize "Nature Clubs," for social, 
ethical, and scientific purposes. 



.S* u p c r s t i t i o u rii 

'^^AMILIARITY with all 

^■■j branches of Natural Sci- 
^^ ence has come to be an 
indispensable necessit}' for every 
one, — a taste for which cannot 
be to early acquired . 

That of Biology, treating as it 
does of the inception and develop- 
ment of life on the earth, is of 
the greatest interest . 

This profane, yet most Sacred 
Science, — more wonderful than fairy 
tale or ancient story, — clothed 
in simple, attractive language, 
should become the fire-side com- 
panion of every home, and a 
part of the curriculum of every 
public school in the land . 

It would be a glorious thing, 
if the Natural Sciences, especially 
that of Biology, could take the 
place of the Bible, in church 
and Sunday-school , 



112 Science and 

ACTUAL phenomena of Nature 
are sufi5ciently marvelous, 
without resorting to fiction, 
to interest or amuse . 

It is not only unnecessary; but 
positively wrong to deceive children 
in any way; — to inculcate myth 
or fable of any kind, in connection 
with mental or moral discipline; — 
of which latter, sincerity and love 
of Nature are the essentials. 

The erroneous ideas of the uni- 
verse, and of life, being taught 
in home, and church, — and in 
fact everywhere, — is deplorable ! — 

Why not develop sense, by 
talking and teaching sense? 

The great charm of childhood 
is sincerity, — too soon lost by 
precept and example . 

The after life of most thinking 
people is a perpetual struggle with 
the false impressions of early years. 



S u p e y s t i t I o n ii^ 

^^J^EGOTTKN of fear, fostered 
4ln by ignorance; the soul of 
^^ superstition, the life of 
religion, the backbone of the 
church! — It is a question, wheth- 
er the emotional in man, has 
not been productive of far more 
harm than good in the world? 

The exercise of Reason, is 
indicative of brain power. . . Its 
habitual surrender to emotion 
and sentiment, peculiar to most 
religious people, betokens mental 
insufficiency . 

The moral and ethical should 
not, in any case, be left to 
religious impulse: but become a 
habit; a fixed principle and rule of 
conduct; the basis of character. 

Religious emotionalism is to un- 
certain and fitful, either as a 
safe moral guide or an incentive 
to rational thought or action. 



114 Science and 

Ecstatic states of mind, — form- 
erly believed to be supernatural, — 
are now well known to be per- 
fectly natural — at the same time 
psychopathic phenomena. 

Next to perverting the common 
mind — the thing most to be regret- 
cd is the debauchment of Genius! — 
The prostitution of both Music and 
Art to the service of superstition! 
* * # # 

It would be absurd to think of 
inducing people to accept scientific 
truths with the aid of music, or 
lurid rhetoric, — prolific of hysteria 
and hypnosis, rather than thought- 
iulness and sense . 

Noise, more or less harmonious, 
may sooth for a time the * * savage 
breast," — or sway the thoughtless 
masses, — but the hope of human- 
ity to-day, the world over, is in 
Science rather than psalm -singing. 



Superstition ii^ 

^"Jr^ EASON and common-sense, 
#11% rather than emotion and 
^^^ sentiment, should govern 
human coduct, and direct all 
the affairs of life. 

The acquisition of facts, or de- 
termination and adjustment of any 
important matter, requires calm 
dispassionate thought and judge- 
ment, — above all things, a love 
of Truth and Justice! 

There was never a wrong right- 
ed through appeals to feeling and 
passion, which might not have been 
more satisfactorily accomplished by 
a dispassionate appeal to reason . 
* * * * 

The religious and emotional in 
human nature, has shipwrecked and 
will shipwreck individuals, commu- 
nities, a?id fiations I 



ff 



There is ample room in the world 
for honest difference of opinion; but 
no room, anywhere for dissimulation 
and deceit I 



^I^IKWS must be held subject 
Irl *° change in part or in 
^^ whole: — or to complete 
abandonment. . . Constant revisions 
of beliefs and books are necessary, 
to keep them in accord with de- 
velopments of the Natural Sciences. 

Opinions are of more or less 
value as they are based on belief 
or knowledge — faith or fact . 

A person may have all kinds of 
faith, and be entirely destitute of 
exact knowledge — believe a great 
many things — be sure of nothing ! 

What most men claim to be- 
lieve, is not the result of personal 
thought and investigation, but of 
environment and early training . 



ti8 Science and 

^d^ OWEVKR inconsistent, people 

Ifw ^^^ ^P^ ^° ^^^ plausible 
^^^ excuse for believing or do- 
ing whatever they like. 

It is of no consequence what 
mankind believed last week, or 
last year, or day before yesterday, 
or two thousand years ago ! 

The thing of paramount importance 
is, not what men have believed, 
but what they have ascertained ! 

The matter of greatest personal 
concern is not whether people are 
believers or non-believers, but if 
trustworthy and true? 

The vital question is not wheth- 
er one's philosophy is optimistic or 

pessimistic, but whether consonant 
with fads f 



Super stitio n iig 

AS Faith in "Revealed Religion" 
becomes less, we may find 
in Nature a more satisfying 
revelation : — an infinite harmony — an 
abiding peace! 

A part and product of Universal 
Order: — only as we realize the inher- 
ent constructive and destructive ener- 
gy, and absolute uniformity of Nature, 
is it possible to think and act rationally! 

^ ^ ^ ^ 

The Great Unconscious alone, can 

evolve a World ! — 
Lift up the everlasting hills and 

towering cliffs — 
Carve out broad valleys, and wide 

basin of the Sea : — 
Can crown with gold the closing 

day — the fading year, — 
And purple all the east with hope 

of coming morn — 
Of flowering Spring ! 



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